Fosu-Mensah: I'll play where I'm needed

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Cape Town - Timothy Fosu-Mensah has been used in a variety of defensive positions for Manchester United, but he insists this has had a positive impact on his performances.

Despite being signed on the strength of his performances at center-back for Ajax, the versatile Dutch teenager has played in a number of attacking and defensive positions for the Manchester United under-18, under-21 and first teams.

For the latter, Fosu-Mensah has played predominantly at right and left-back and insists his preference for a more central role will not affect his play.

"It’s a difficult question," he told Manchester United's official website when asked about his preferred position. "I think I’ll just be keeping my options open. Centre-back or midfield, I think that is the most chance. However, as I’ve said before, wherever the manager wants me, I will play there."

"I had the pre-season with the Under-21s. Warren Joyce helped me very much, particularly in the aspects I was not so good at. He helped me on it and tried to make me a better player. I’m happy he has been able to do that. I played no.10 in pre-season and scored a goal from there as well so I was very happy!

Fosu-Mensah continued by making the point that switching between defensive and more attacking roles helps a player learn to think like his opponent.

"I think that experience helped me. As an attacking midfielder, you come into positions where you have to think and think as an attacking player as well. When you go back to being a defender, it helps you think how attackers think - about where they’re moving to and what they have to do before they receive the ball. So it definitely helps your game when you play in other positions.

"I think, when you’re young, it’s important you can play in as many positions as you can so, wherever the manager wants you to play, you have more experience in every role."

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